MFNZ succeeds in advocacy for Machinist Skills training
After more than 21/2 years of meetings and stakeholder engagement we are pleased to finally share that Sewing Machinist skills have been recognised as a critical need in the NZ apparel and textile sector by Hanga-Aro-Rau, the Manufacturing Workforce Development Council. The development of a new fit-for-purpose qualification has been approved targeted at the needs of sewing machinists across industry.
Our 2022 Skills Landscape paper outlined the needs and challenges the sector faces in meeting local manufacturing demand, and the opportunity there is to develop something that the industry and wider stakeholder network can co-develop.
Thank you to all our members and the wider sector who have engaged in our process with Hanga Aro Rau. There is still much work to be done, but it’s a great start and gratifying to have this recognition from Government.
Work to have a machinist training qualification developed, being led by Hanga Aro Rau, is due to start in August. Now we have successfully achieved formal recognition of the skills shortage, we need industry feedback and input into the development so get in touch if you want to be part of this work. It’s critical your business engages to ensure what’s developed meets your needs.
Table 1 (below):
Hanga Aro Rau Advice for 2024 Investment showing the 9 new education products that require investment to develop, write and resource over the next two years.
